Sabin: Out four straight games, Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray may miss two more

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Sharon Ellman/AP

RB DeMarco Murray: The Cowboys running back has not played since spraining his left foot Oct. 14 against Baltimore. He's currently listed as questionable for the game against Philadelphia and with the ground game and the season on life support, it's likely now or never for the second-year player.

IRVING — In the immediate aftermath of the Cowboys’
victory over Philadelphia last week, DeMarco Murray sidled up to Lance Dunbar
and told the rookie running back that he better have savored the six carries he
was given. “Enjoy it,” Murray said, “because when I come back, I ain’t coming
out of the game.”

Recalling the moment, Dunbar smiled.

“He always says he’s coming back,” Dunbar said. “But he never does.”

When Murray sprained his left foot Oct. 14 against Baltimore, he never
imagined he would be sidelined this long.

“I thought I was going to miss a game, maybe two at the most,” the
second-year tailback said.

But he hasn’t played in the last four since suffering the injury, and it
appears doubtful that he will return to action Sunday when Dallas faces
Cleveland.

Asked Wednesday if he will take the field against the Browns, Murray said, “I
don’t know. I’m just out there working hard, trying to make sure I don’t take
any steps back. We’ve been patient with this thing. We’re just looking forward
to once I do get out there, I stay out there and not take steps back.”

Murray’s possible return is complicated by the fact that the Cowboys play two
games in five days next week. Sunday’s meeting with Cleveland is followed by a
Thanksgiving date with Washington next Thursday.

The condensed schedule has created a potential snag in the Cowboys’ plans for
Murray and perhaps explains why executive vice president Stephen Jones announced
Wednesday on KRLD-FM (105.3) that “we’ll get DeMarco Murray back probably here
in a couple weeks.”

Murray, nevertheless, maintains “there is a chance” he plays in at least one
of the next two games.

“I’m a competitor,” he said. “I definitely want to be out there with my
teammates, helping them going through the good things and the bad things.
Watching from the sidelines has been very difficult. But it’s all part of God’s
plan. Everything happens for a reason. Just waiting and hopefully, I’ll get back
out there soon.”

The Cowboys could use him. In his absence, the ground attack’s production has
shriveled. In the last four games, Dallas has averaged 2.97 yards per carry and
scored two rushing touchdowns — one of which was produced by quarterback Tony
Romo. The Cowboys’ longest run during that period covered 18 yards. Not
surprisingly, the diminished output has influenced coach Jason Garrett’s
approach. In games against Atlanta and the New York Giants, the Cowboys ran the
ball on only 25.5 percent of their offensive plays.

“We certainly would like to have DeMarco Murray playing for us,” Garrett
said. “He’s a starter for us, and he’s been really productive for us as a
runner. He’s a good inside runner. He’s physical, he plays downhill. I think our
running game has been better when he’s in there.”

The evidence supports that opinion. Murray remains the only tailback to have
rushed for more than 100 yards this season, and he has outgained Felix Jones by
52 yards despite having received one more carry than his backup.

As Bernadeau praised Murray, the man he extolled was holding court with
reporters. Standing in front of his locker, Murray seemed to be in good spirits.
Although he did not practice with the team Wednesday, he was pleased with the
rehabilitation work he did while donning a helmet, uniform and cleats.

“I’m feeling good and hopefully this thing continues to get better, and I’m
definitely going to continue to take steps forward,” Murray said.

“Today, this week, is the best I’ve felt. Once I feel like I can help this
team and I’m ready to go and play like I’m accustomed to playing, I’m going to
get out there. But it’s still a waiting game right now.”

In the meantime, the Cowboys are standing by, hoping they’ll continue to
survive without Murray in their backfield.

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